Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Bureau of Indian Standards gets first prize during Swachhta Pakhwada
Department of Consumer Affairs observed Swachhta Pakhwada from 16to 28th February 2021
As per the schedule laid down by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, the Department of Consumer Affairs and all organisations under its administrative control viz. the Bureau of Indian Standards, National Test House, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi, as well as the five Regional Reference Standards Laboratories observed the Swachhata Pakhwada from 16th to 28th February, 2021. Secretary, Consumer Affairs held a meeting through Video conferencing with all the organisations exhorting them to prepare Action Plans and observe the Pakhwada through various activities. An Action Plan was prepared in the Department to celebrate the Pakhwada listing out various activities to be undertaken during the pakhwada.
A Pledge taking ceremony was held at 11.00 AM on 16th February 2021, wherein Secretary  administered the pledge on Swachhta. Banners were displayed at prominent places in the office premises of the Department at Krishi Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan and Jamnagar House for making people aware of their responsibilities. Similarly, banners were also displayed on the website of the Department.
In order to make the general public aware about the significance of the Pakhwada and to sensitize about cleanliness and hygiene at work place and surrounding areas, posts / photos / videos were regularly uploaded on the social media handles of the Department like twitter, facebook and Instagram. Taking into account the situation arising out of spread of COVID-19, masks, sanitizers and other hygiene related products, etc. were distributed to the employees. A special cleanliness drive for segregation and safe disposal of paper waste, plastic waste and e- waste was launched. Two short films on Swachhta and ‘Clean India- E- Waste Management were screened. Further, an Essay writing and Poetry competition on the theme of Swachh Bharat was organized on 23rd Feb. 2021 for the employees of the Department. Review and weeding out of old records was carried out in various Divisions including the Departmental Record Room. Various Divisions / Sections were inspected and adjudged on cleanliness.
The Bureau of Indian Standards, National Test House, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi and the Regional Reference Standards Laboratories also celebrated the SwachhataPakhwada with various activities. Swachhata pledge was taken by all employees, old records were reviewed and weeded out, action to weed out old furniture was taken, slogan, poster drawing and other competitions were held, saplings were planted in the office premises in BIS Hqrs and various regional offices. Social media was used for publicizing activities related to Swachhata. Employees were informed about the need for reduction of single use plastics. National Test House carried out innovative activities such as camp for public about harmful effects of single use plastics and benefits of swachhata on environment. BIS carried out special cleanliness drive and display of posters on swachhbharat in their offices. RRSL, Bhubaneswar conducted a programme on sanitation, hygiene and bad effects of use of single use plastics such as bags / polythene in nearby residential colonies and also distributed handwashing soap and masks among the basti dwellers. RRSL, Bangalore initiated establishment of a compost unit in the office to promote zero garbage.
Based on various parameters, all the organisations under the Department were evaluated and first, second and third prizes, sponsored by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation were announced for Bureau of Indian Standards, National Test House and RRSL, Bhubaneswar respectively, by Secretary  ) during the video conference held on 09-03-2021 to take stock of the achievements during the pakhwada.